Most of us in college or university teaching positions begin our contract in September, but some odd folks out like me started in February. This is my first year in China. I like my school, and would like to sign on for a second year. My FAO says the school likes me as well, and that they will renew my contract- don't worry about it. She says we still have four months so I needn't be in such a hurry.
I have no reason to suspect that what she says is not indeed what will happen, but I would not want to end up high and dry without a contract at the last minute. Any ideas of how I should proceed? How long before the term are contracts typically renewed?
Thanks.

The PSB will think weirdly if you go there now to renew another visa for next year.

You presumably have a residence permit until February, that is the thing which kinda freaks me out.

I'd say 5-6 weeks before it's ok. Resigning is a doddle if you're already at the place and just topping up another year on your residence permit. 5-6 weeks gives them enough time to be ready. Remember though you sound like you fall RIGHT in the middle of the spring festival. My university shuts down from the 1st of Jan - 1st of March, nothing gets done, I end up getting about 20000 rmb in a lump sum on the 10th of March.

So I'd say Start of January would be an ok assuming it finishes mid February.

You presumably have a residence permit until February, that is the thing which kinda freaks me out.

But why does this freak you out?

I guess what freaks me out is what if my school, for whatever reason (and I've done nothing remiss, haven't been late or missed a single hour), decided not to renew? Then I'd only have about a month and a half to find another job!
I guess the answer is trust. I've no reason not to.

To start in February contract renewal and discussions about renewing it should be happening now. Normally schools line up teachers for a September start sometime in April and May, including those who are already working at the place. For people who started a contract in February, the time to consider renewal is November and December.

It's true that most PSB offices won't issue a new residence permit till sometime within 30 days of expiry of a current one but that shouldn't prevent the school from offering you a contract now and dealing with the issue now. If they like you and you them then there's no reason not to. Waiting till a few weeks before your current contract and residence permit expires before renewing only increases the chance that you find yourself jobless come next term. Keep in mind universities are on holiday for the latter part of January and all of February this year, when nothing is going to happen.

Well, all of this has been verbally agreed on (actually they broached the topic first) and I got yet another promise, this time via email, that my contract would be renewed and would even be renewed the year after next if I wanted. That's makes three times now that I've been told I'm good to go so I'm just going to believe them and leave it up to the omni cosmic vibrations.

If I find myself jobless, I'll just rough it out for a semester. Might end up doing some interesting stuff.

Here's a link to the 2013 China calendar.
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2013&country=41
The new semester looks like starting last week in Feb.
If you have a 90-day clause, you should have it all settled end of this month (Nov).
It is NOT too early and in any event you should be looking at other gigs.
If there are other universities nearby, cold call their international/FT recruitment offices*.
Nothing like having an alternative to go to when negotiating with your current employer.
*You don't have to ask for a job - just make some lame excuse about admiring their campus or a liking for teaching students who have a bent towards whatever the new campus specialises in - technology, tourism or whatever.
Delayed action is a Chinese specialty, but it seldom works to the advantage of the foreigner.

Most of us in college or university teaching positions begin our contract in September, but some odd folks out like me started in February. This is my first year in China. I like my school, and would like to sign on for a second year. My FAO says the school likes me as well, and that they will renew my contract- don't worry about it. She says we still have four months so I needn't be in such a hurry.
I have no reason to suspect that what she says is not indeed what will happen, but I would not want to end up high and dry without a contract at the last minute. Any ideas of how I should proceed? How long before the term are contracts typically renewed?
Thanks.

I am also on a February-February residence permit. It's not so weird. Spring Festival is easily the biggest staff turnover period after the summer holidays - lots of staff get fired or quit in Oct/Nov/Dec and then someone is brought in in Jan/Feb.